MELISSA A. JUAREZ, Quincy: Parents need to be concerned about Common Core

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The Enterprise, Brockton, MA

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Posted Apr. 17, 2014 at 3:42 AM
Updated Apr 17, 2014 at 3:44 AM

Posted Apr. 17, 2014 at 3:42 AM
Updated Apr 17, 2014 at 3:44 AM

» Social News

As a parent, I have several issues of concern about Common Core and the PARCC test.

First, the standards were adopted by the state legislators before parents and educators knew what they were, with virtually no public debate involved. This has been well-documented. Part of the reason the standards were adopted so quickly was because the adoption of the standards was tied to Massachusetts’ acceptance of the 2009 Race to the Top initiative money.

Massachusetts, like other states, was enticed by the lure of federal money for education and was thus pressured to make a Hobson’s choice, adopt the Common Core standards, or forfeit the Race to the Top federal money.

Second, the Boston Pioneer Institute has conducted research that shows Common Core’s English standards will cut the amount of classical literature, drama and poetry our students read by more than half, and that most students would not take Algebra I in eighth grade. Common Core’s math standards have been described by Stanford professor James Milgram as having “extremely serious failings,” reflecting “very low expectations.” Milgram was the only academic mathematician on Common Core’s validation committee and he refused to sign off on the final draft of the math standards.

Lastly, the Race to the Top money will not be enough to pay for the implementation. Our municipalities are under severe budget constraints already. Where will we get the money to pay for the shortfalls as we move toward implementation?